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Working From Home - Starting Up and Stepping Out |   |
As we are about to embark on our homeworking partnership with Bytestart, I thought it only right that the topic of this first article should be ‘How to start a home based business.’
So here are the Enterprise Nation four steps to start-up success.
Step 1: What’s the idea?
Before you start a business, you need an idea.
Do you have one? If so, lucky you! Proceed directly to Step 2.
If not, consider these points:
- Think about what you enjoy doing.
- Spot a gap in the market and fill it.
- Do what someone else is doing, but do it better .
Step 2: Sort the infrastructure
Once you have the idea, then you can turn your thoughts to what you need to get up and running. This may involve space (we always recommend that home business owners find some dedicated space in the house) equipment (a laptop/PC, a phone and some home office furniture) and promotion materials (we suggest a mix of online and offline materials)
Step 3: Start selling
No home business is worth its salt without a first sale. Make a list of top contacts (this might include friends and family) and send promotion details to them. Follow up with a sales call and once you have secured that all-important first sale, shout about it!
Step 4: Repeat
Staying in business involves keeping all balls in the air; business development, client service and company admin. This can be tough at times but keep going as there is no better feeling than seeing your home business prosper and grow.
Emma Jones is Managing Director of Redbrick Enterprises Ltd and Editor of the homeworking website at www.enterprisenation.com. Visit the site for information and inspiration and to register for a free fortnightly homeworking e-news, podcast and forum access.
Posted March 1, 2007
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Thanks to modern technology and a growth in services to help home workers, it’s really easy to present a professional image without a great deal of effort or cost. [June 4, 2009]
With over 3 million people now working from home, and the number growing daily, here are ten tips to help potential homeworkers get the balance right and prevent themselves getting distracted. [May 18, 2009]
To mark National Working from Home Day, the Telework Association has launched its first annual survey which examines the apparent improved level of productivity of home workers. [May 15, 2009]
Thanks to modern technology, it is easier than ever to launch your own business while still working full-time. Some issues to consider if you want your business idea to succeed. [May 6, 2009]
New research shows that over five million people are working from home after finishing their 'normal' day jobs. You can also download a copy of 'how to start a business in your spare time'. [April 21, 2009]
The economic downturn could lead to a surge in business owners working from home. We look at the tax relief available, including mortgage interest relief, rental, council tax, insurance and other bills. [March 23, 2009]
A leading accountancy body is urging homeworkers to claim tax relief on all the valid expenses they can, but they should also be aware of the VAT pitfalls. [February 18, 2009]
Many business owners who start up from home may have encountered 'cabin fever'. Here are five simple things you can do to ensure you can focus on your business, and still maintain a healthy home life. [February 10, 2009]
If you can’t remember who’s got spare sets of your keys, you could be invalidating your insurance. [December 1, 2008]
If you work from home, one potential area of stress can arise when your paperwork has been left to the last minute, or seems out of control. Here are some tips for keeping on top of your small business administration. [December 1, 2008]
Tax relief is available for additional expenses incurred by people working from home. A leading accountancy body is encouraging homeworkers to claim all the tax reliefs they are entitled to from HMRC. [October 28, 2008]
When starting a home office it is important that you have the correct equipment and conditions to work safely and effectively. This guide explores these issues further. [September 23, 2008]
With recent research showing that half of small businesses do not work in formal offices, a law firm has urged employers to consider the legal issues involved in allowing staff to work from home. [September 18, 2008]
With over two million business based at home, more and more small business owners are torn between concentrating on a successful homeworking career and meeting the needs of a family. [September 17, 2008]
This week the 2008 Home Business of the Year has been announced, with online language tuition company Toniks picking up the gong. [September 5, 2008]
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